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Flyfearless taking the anxiety from travel.Fri, 28 Jul 2017 10:00:56 +0000en-GBhourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.8.1http://www.flyfearless.ie/wp-content/uploads/cropped-fly_fearless-32x32.jpgFlyfearless.iehttp://www.flyfearless.ie
3232Medical Emergencies during a flighthttp://www.flyfearless.ie/medical-emergencies-during-a-flight
Wed, 28 May 2014 12:28:25 +0000http://www.flyfearless.ie/?p=4747
While as many as 2.75 billion people fly on commercial airlines each year, medical emergencies occur only once in every 604 flights, and fewer than 1 percent result in death, according to the retrospective look at nearly 12,000 in-flight medical cases, published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.

For some people, fear of getting sick on a plane — or sitting next to a sick person — ranks right up there with fear ...]]>02/04/14 14:28

While as many as 2.75 billion people fly on commercial airlines each year, medical emergencies occur only once in every 604 flights, and fewer than 1 percent result in death, according to the retrospective look at nearly 12,000 in-flight medical cases, published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.

For some people, fear of getting sick on a plane — or sitting next to a sick person — ranks right up there with fear of flying. But surprisingly few people get sick on airplanes, and very few die, finds a new analysis of data from January 2008 to October 2010.While as many as 2.75 billion people fly on commercial airlines each year, medical emergencies occur only once in every 604 flights, and fewer than 1 percent result in death, according to the retrospective look at nearly 12,000 in-flight medical cases, published today in the New England Journal of Medicine. Most often, the data showed, in-flight medical emergencies involved fainting, breathing problems, gastrointestinal distress, or chest pain.37 percent fainting
12 percent respiratory symptoms
10 percent nausea or vomiting
8 percent heart symptoms
Doctors who happened to be passengers on the flights handled passenger emergencies in 48 percent of the cases studied. Nurses provided volunteer emergency care in an additional 20 percent of cases.

Edward Geltman, MD, Director of the Heart Failure Program at Barnes-Jewish Hospital & Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, is one of those doctors who dealt with a medical emergency in flight.

“I was on a flight from St. Louis to Dallas and a patient had chest discomfort and then passed out,” recalled Dr. Geltman. “We responded and got the emergency medical kit, were able to give sublingual nitroglycerine and to give fluids. It wasn’t a whole [emergency] cart like we would have in the hospital, but it was an appropriate kit. With that, we felt very good about what we could do for the patient. We didn’t have to divert the flight and the patient did very well. An emergency team was waiting for us on the ground when we got there.”

Cardiac arrests or heart attacks were the most common cause of death on planes — 36 people died over the period of the study, and 31 were from cardiac arrest.

The most common symptom, fainting, wasn’t a big deal in most cases, said said study author Christian Martin-Gill, M.D., M.P.H. “The majority of cases when a person faints resolve quite well,” he said. “A person may pass out and have low blood pressure. This is helped by raising the legs, and providing fluids for hydration.” Dr. Martin-Gill is assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Will Your Flight Be Diverted Because Someone Is Ill?

If someone gets sick on a flight, your trip won’t necessarily be interrupted: Diversion of flights due to medical emergencies happened in only 7 percent of cases studied. One in four cases was evaluated at a hospital, but only about one in 10 passengers who had in-flight emergencies was actually admitted.

Hospital admissions were most often for patients with symptoms of stroke, chest pain, or trouble breathing, according to the new study. Out of 11,920 emergency cases over two years, 61 were due to obstetric or gynecologic symptoms, and most of the patients were at less than 24 weeks of pregnancy, well within the current recommendations for air travel up to the 36th week of pregnancy. Eleven cases were women who went into labor at a time beyond 24 weeks.

When there is no doctor or nurse on a flight, airline personnel often called health care institutions for real-time telemedicine advice from doctors trained to handle emergencies, according to the study. Healthcare providers and flight attendants then worked collaboratively with emergency physician by phone or radio, and used the emergency medical kit, which is required on all flights. In addition to having an emergency medical kit complete with oxygen and medications, all commercial airliners carry an AED (automated external defibrillator) for cardiac arrest.

The most common medications and therapies used in in-flight emergencies were oxygen, IV saline solution, and aspirin. Flights were less likely to be diverted for passengers with nausea or vomiting.

In some cases, other passengers shared their medications, or the patients themselves were carrying their own.

“We recognise that passengers find themselves taking care of other passengers,” said Dr. Martin-Gill added. “Assistance can be very valuable, and multiple people may offer their help. For the rare instances where there is a cardiac arrest, it may take a team of people to respond.” He emphasised that healthcare professionals and other passengers who volunteer for emergencies are legally protected by the Aviation Medical Assistance Act’s Good Samaritan provision.

Planning Ahead for Medical Emergencies on Planes

Patients who are aware they have health problems should be sure to take their medications with them in carry-on luggage, said Dr. Geltman. “Take at least two days of extra medications along. Diabetics should also bring glucose monitoring equipment with them. There’s no risk to letting another patient use your diabetic monitor if needed on a flight, but to give medications that were not prescribed to the patient by a doctor would be wrong.”

Here is a rundown of what you can expect during a medical emergency on a flight:

A healthcare provider or airline personnel will ask you about the medical problem and how long you have had it.
The provider may ask about chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, or weakness on one side of your body.
Your pulse and blood pressure will probably be taken.
Your mental status may be assessed.
The healthcare provider and team will use an emergency medical kit if needed.
You may receive oxygen.
You may receive medications or IV fluids.
The care team will coordinate with ground-based medical care for the appropriate transfer of your care.

]]>That lovely moment when the text arriveshttp://www.flyfearless.ie/that-lovely-moment-when-the-text-arrives
Wed, 28 May 2014 12:26:31 +0000http://www.flyfearless.ie/?p=4745
A tough day at the office made special by a short text from Spain.

I was having a tough day at the office the other day ( paperwork) and feeling just a little grumpy when a text arrived from one of our Fly Fearless Participants. It read, “Michael thanks so much arrived safely enjoyed the flight and for the first time in my life I looked out the window and enjoyed the beautiful views wow I ...]]>15/03/14 07:05

A tough day at the office made special by a short text from Spain.

I was having a tough day at the office the other day ( paperwork) and feeling just a little grumpy when a text arrived from one of our Fly Fearless Participants. It read, “Michael thanks so much arrived safely enjoyed the flight and for the first time in my life I looked out the window and enjoyed the beautiful views wow I can’t believe this :-). Sharon C.” It’s truly moments like this that are a real joy. Sharon had taken our course a few weeks before and like many of the 1,200 people before her had arrived somewhat anxious about the whole day ahead. She threw herself into the course and towards the end felt empowered to take on this anxiety that had “cramped her style” for many years. It might sound a little soft, but my real joy is hearing back from people who have taken the their flight, mastered the anxiety and re-discovered their freedom to travel. There is a glow of satisfaction from them and I will admit from me and those on the team who help out … they tell me too that they love to hear the stories of new found freedom. Well as we head into our fifth year I am hugely motivated to keep going, despite the paperwork and to continue to look forward to those short text messages sent from distant airports like this one, “Hi Michael I have landed in Paris. Kept my fear under control tables really helped going up and coming down…Felt confident and relaxed leaving the flight. Thank you so much for your help and for taking the call. I know it’s beyond the call of duty. Thanks again. Sinead….” Let’s leave the last word with Geoff, “Completed the course last week.. Took my first flight since then today. Dublin to Brussels… Very bumpy To start but kept repeating in my head ‘people get Hurt in turbulence not planes’. Didn’t need my usual cocktail of zanex and booze for this flight.. Thanks to Michael and the team…think I might actually enjoying flying from here on out!!” To Geoff, Sharon, Sinead and all those Fearless Flyers….Thank you!

]]>Top Tips for Managing Fearhttp://www.flyfearless.ie/top-tips-for-managing-fear
Wed, 28 May 2014 12:25:32 +0000http://www.flyfearless.ie/?p=4742
Turbulence may feel uncomfortable, but it is normal. People often misunderstand turbulence. When encountering turbulence, nervous passengers feel the plane is “falling” out of the sky. It is natural for them to only feel the “down” bumps. But for every
“down” there is an “up” bump. The “downs” are just more easily noticed. Next time you are driving on a bumpy road, imagine you are a passenger on a plane and how you would consider it to ...]]>12/03/14 11:02

Turbulence may feel uncomfortable, but it is normal. People often misunderstand turbulence. When encountering turbulence, nervous passengers feel the plane is “falling” out of the sky. It is natural for them to only feel the “down” bumps. But for every

“down” there is an “up” bump. The “downs” are just more easily noticed. Next time you are driving on a bumpy road, imagine you are a passenger on a plane and how you would consider it to be “bad” turbulence. Now take a look at the road. How big are the bumps on the roadway to create the rough ride? The air is usually very smooth. But sometimes some small ripples can make it feel like “bad” turbulence!1. Turbulence may feel uncomfortable, but it is normal. People often misunderstand turbulence. When encountering turbulence, nervous passengers feel the plane is “falling” out of the sky. It is natural for them to only feel the “down” bumps. But for every “down” there is an “up” bump. The “downs” are just more easily noticed. Next time you are driving on a bumpy road, imagine you are a passenger on a plane and how you would consider it to be “bad” turbulence. Now take a look at the road. How big are the bumps on the roadway to create the rough ride? The air is usually very smooth. But sometimes some small ripples can make it feel like “bad” turbulence!

2. The plane is strong, stable, reliable, and well maintained. Regulations mandate that modern jet aircraft are designed and built with large safety margins. All aircraft and their equipment are built from approved designs and manufactured under approved systems. Coming out of the factory, the planes are thoroughly flight tested before certification. Structurally, these aircraft can withstand many times the stresses and forces which can be imposed upon them in flight. Remember, airplanes are MEANT to be in the air. That’s where they’re happiest!

3.Trust the well trained and experienced crew.
When you board the plane mention to the cabin crew that sometimes you get a little nervous about flying, and ask if you may visit with the pilots before take-off. This is very important! The pilots are happy to have visitors before departure, the cabin crew know this. You might be surprised at how receptive the pilots will be. Ask questions and mention your nervousness, they will understand and reassure you. The pilot’s confidence is contagious. Now you have a friend up front who knows and cares about you! But remember, visits to the cockpit can ONLY be made on the ground, not during taxi or in flight. From Air Traffic Controllers, to Aircraft Mechanics, to the Flight Crew, there is no industry in the world with better trained, tested, skilled, and motivated professionals than the people in the airline industry.

4. Trust the airline industry. The Irish Aviation Authority ensures your safe and secure flying experience by monitoring, inspecting, drug testing, and certifying the people who work in safety related areas of aviation. Aviation is “black and white”. There are no “maybes”. Either it is 100% safe, or we don’t do it. You may have heard the saying, “Safety is no accident”. Each worker takes pride in his or her own work and keeps an eye on others. Because we understand the importance of our work on the safety of others, we will not tolerate anything less than perfection!

5. Flying is routine, here’s proof. Many people take comfort in going to the local airport to watch all the planes takeoff and land. After a while you begin to see that the flight operations are indeed routine. Others like to study the ARRIVAL and DEPARTURE monitors in the airport terminal to see just how many flights operate safely. Did you know that worldwide nearly 3 million passengers fly every day?

6. Positive Thinking Always try to keep your thoughts in the present. Keep your thoughts positive. When you catch yourself thinking negatively, stop, and concentrate on the positive. Many people dwell on what might happen instead of what is happening. It can be easy to play a “disaster movie” in your mind and you are the in the starring role! When you catch yourself starting the production of one of these imaginary “disaster movies” turn off the projector. Try to occupy your mind with something more constructive. Read, do a puzzle, strike up a conversation.

7. Tense Your Muscles. Be aware of your body. When you feel muscles that are tense or tight, you can relax them. Instead of fighting the tightness, show your muscles whose boss! You tense your muscles! You take control! Go ahead and tighten your stomach muscles or your leg muscles. Then pause and let go. You will be surprised at how your muscles feel warm and relaxed, and you once again feel in control.
8. Overactive Imagination.Quite often people who have a fear of flying also have a strong or overactive imagination. For example, they might hear an unfamiliar noise during the flight, and begin imagining what might be wrong with the plane to cause this noise. Or, they may believe in “signs” or “premonitions” that their plane will crash. For example, they might have a dream, or hear a song on the radio about a plane crash. Odds are, you are not psychic! Remind yourself of this fact, and focus on reality.

9. How to deal with nervous feelings. When you feel afraid, your breathing quickens and your heart races. To calm yourself, first push your stomach outward. Take a slow, deep breath through your nose. Try to fill your lungs from the bottom up. Pause, and then exhale slowly. Do this a couple of times and you’ll feel much better. Practice your controlled breathing whenever you can. Try it whenever you feel tense. Slow, deep breathing is the easiest and most effective method for calming yourself.

10. Even if you feel panicky, it cannot hurt you or cause you to lose control. Remember that fear is a normal reaction to a perceived threat. Once you learn the threat really isn’t dangerous, the fear naturally goes away. Fear itself is not harmful, it is meant to protect us. A panic attack will not make you have a heart attack, faint, or lose control. That is how we are programmed. Fear acts as our defence mechanism. It prepares us to fight or flee.

]]>Flying with Childrenhttp://www.flyfearless.ie/flying-with-children
Wed, 28 May 2014 12:23:46 +0000http://www.flyfearless.ie/?p=4739
Sitting in Departures the other day at Gate 207 in Dublin airport and the call goes out inviting parents traveling with children to come forward for boarding.
Our fellow travellers, some in suits grumble while they wait and fret, wonder if they will end up sitting near the parents pride and joy. Taking your child on a flight has many challenges; one among them is the requirement to develop a thick skin for the dirty looks ...]]>12/03/14 10:45

Sitting in Departures the other day at Gate 207 in Dublin airport and the call goes out inviting parents traveling with children to come forward for boarding.

Our fellow travellers, some in suits grumble while they wait and fret, wonder if they will end up sitting near the parents pride and joy. Taking your child on a flight has many challenges; one among them is the requirement to develop a thick skin for the dirty looks from other passengers. Assuming that the other 168 passengers on your next flight are not all single, childless world travelers without children of their own their impatience is somewhat unfair. Ignore rude people, especially those whose job it is to help. Only you can know the right way to handle your child.

Sitting in Departures the other day at Gate 207 in Dublin airport and the call goes out inviting parents traveling with children to come forward for boarding. Our fellow travellers, some in suits grumble while they wait and fret, wonder if they will end up sitting near the parents pride and joy. Taking your child on a flight has many challenges; one among them is the requirement to develop a thick skin for the dirty looks from other passengers. Assuming that the other 168 passengers on your next flight are not all single, childless world travelers without children of their own their impatience is somewhat unfair. Ignore rude people, especially those whose job it is to help. Only you can know the right way to handle your child.

There are however a number of ways you can make travel with babies and toddlers easier on you and your partner. By the time you actually get to your destination you will have endured the trip to the airport, the security check, the boarding process and the child seatbelt (the ultimate form of torture), cabin pressure on your child’s ears and the potential of delays and lost luggage. Did someone say travel was glamorous?

Travel with children is all down to planning and preparation. If your child is going to sit on your lap then you need to practice having them sit on your lap for up to 10 minutes with a belt on you and a belt on them…make this a game at home and associate it with fun and at a time when you and your child are relaxed. Introducing them to the lap belt for the first time on the actual aircraft will result in a tantrum from even the calmest child. Most cabin crew are experienced with this tricky negotiation and should help.

Small babies and younger toddles will also experience the change in cabin pressure on their ears and will cry. Strangely enough this crying is the cure! Don’t worry, if your baby is asleep during take-off or landing you don’t have to wake them to protect their ears. Check with your Doctor before flying with a child with an ear infection or blocked nose. It’s a myth that babies are lulled to sleep by the plane’s engine noise. Try to stick as much as possible to your baby’s ‘go to sleep’ routine.

Bring lots of distractions; don’t assume that the airline will provide them. At least 10 things the child has not seen before for a long haul flight, as boredom thresholds are short when your child cannot move about easily. Another tip for a long haul flight is to sit separately from your partner and then share minding your child; the disadvantage is the swap over process! Some parents love to sit in the very back. They like being close to the galley and toilets and figured their children’s noise is less likely to disturb others. Added plus, you can often stand up in the back without disturbing others when the seatbelt sign is off.

The galley is not always located in the back, although the toilets usually are. If you are not traveling with a partner then your skills at befriending for seat partner will get a test.

On most airlines the requirement is that one adult cannot be responsible for more than two infants. Where one adult is travelling with two infants at least one of the infants must be over 6 months old. The infant over 6 months must travel in a car seat provided by the adult, as only one infant is permitted to sit on an adults lap. Car Seats used must have a sticker advising “Approved for Aircraft Use”.

On long haul flights feeding babies and younger toddlers can be a challenge, the temptation of sweets and fizzy drinks are everywhere and again only you know how you child reacts to a sugar buzz. Always test the temperature of food heated in the aircraft galley before you give it to your child. If is often way too hot! Take your own baby food, bowl and utensils for an infant. Some airlines do have tins of baby food on board – but most likely not what your baby likes best! Disposable bibs are a great idea for infant mealtimes on board an airplane. Ask for bottles and meals to be warmed well in advance of when you need them. Cabin crew don’t have a microwave and have to heat using hot water in the galley. This takes time.

Make flying an adventure, if the child is old enough then picture books of aircraft or a “How planes Fly” book will help them understand the experience. Children are rarely anxious flyers, most of the time they get their anxiety from you. Don’t expect to have a break until you land – you are the entertainment…

Please don’t be tempted to place children on the floor. Don’t even place them on the floor with the logic that you would pick them up if it gets rough. Turbulence can hit quickly without warning. If your children fall asleep in their seats, put the seatbelt around them so it can be seen. If you all are sleeping (we can always hope) and the seatbelt sign goes on, the Cabin Crew will come down the aisle to check. If they can clearly see that everyone’s strapped in, they wont have to wake you up.

Agree to pay attention to your worries.
Chose a specific time in the future when you will return to them.
As the time arrives, either start obsessing or consider postponing the worries to another specific time. Whenever possible choose to postpone.

Postponing Your Worries

Agree to pay attention to your worries.
Chose a specific time in the future when you will return to them. 12/03/14 10:26

Postponing Your Worries

Agree to pay attention to your worries.

Chose a specific time in the future when you will return to them.

As the time arrives, either start obsessing or consider postponing the worries to another specific time. Whenever possible choose to postpone.

Postponing Your Worries

Agree to pay attention to your worries.

Chose a specific time in the future when you will return to them.

As the time arrives, either start obsessing or consider postponing the worries to another specific time. Whenever possible choose to postpone.

Use Paradox to react to your Physical Symptoms

Notice your most dominant physical symptom. Say to yourself.” I would like to take control of this feeling by making it stronger”.

Attempt to increase the symptom.

Breath gently

Don’t get trapped in worry or hopeless comments.

Here’s a thought?”

Is this an old thought? Have I heard this one before?

Will I gain anything from listening to it again?

What would happen if I believed this thought?

Create Worry Time.

Set aside a daily worry time of 5 minutes.

Spend this entire time thinking only about your worries regarding the flight.

Do not think about positive alternatives

Try to become as anxious as possible during the exercise.

Continue to the end of the worry time even if you run out of ideas, repeat the same worries over again.

]]>2013 Safest year for Aviation since 1950 – Accident figures at a record low.http://www.flyfearless.ie/hello-world
http://www.flyfearless.ie/hello-world#commentsFri, 01 Feb 2013 05:22:34 +0000http://www.flyfearless.ie/?p=1
and the second safest year by number of accidents.

The Aviation Safety Network today released the 2013 airliner accident statistics showing a record low total of 265 airliner accident fatalities, as a result of 29 fatal airliner accidents.
The year 2013 was a very safe year for commercial aviation, Aviation Safety Network data show. By ...]]>The year 2013 was a very safe year for commercial aviation,Aviation Safety Network data show.By far the safest year by number of fatalities

and the second safest year by number of accidents.

The Aviation Safety Network today released the 2013 airliner accident statistics showing a record low total of 265 airliner accident fatalities, as a result of 29 fatal airliner accidents.The year 2013 was a very safe year for commercial aviation, Aviation Safety Network data show. By far the safest year by number of fatalities and the second safest year by number of accidents.Over the year 2013 the Aviation Safety Network recorded a total of 29 fatal airliner accidents, resulting in a record low 265 fatalities. Consequently, the number of fatalities is significantly lower than the ten-year average of 720 fatalities. The worst accident last year happened on November 17 when a Tatarstan Airlines Boeing 737 crashed while on approach to Kazan, Russia, killing 50.The number of accidents involving passenger flights was just below average with sixteen accidents as compared to the ten-year average of 17,4 accidents.The low number of accidents comes as no surprise, according to ASN President Harro Ranter: “Since 1997 the average number of airliner accidents has shown a steady and persistent decline, probably for a great deal thanks to the continuing safety-driven efforts by international aviation organisations such as ICAO, IATA, Flight Safety Foundation and the aviation industry.”Three out of 29 accident airplanes (10%) were operated by airlines on the E.U. “black list” as opposed to three out of 23 (13%) the year before. Africa still is the least safe continent, accounting for one-fifth of all fatal airliner accidents while the continent only accounts for approximately three percent of all world aircraft departures.This is also reflected by the fact that, on average, African nations score 4.6 on a scale of 10 in aviation safety audits performed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Additionally, the airlines of fourteen African nations are not allowed to fly into the E.U. Three countries are banned in the U.S.Statistics are based on a selection of worldwide fatal accidents involving civil aircraft with a minimum capacity of 14 passengers.